May 2010 Communique

Fr. Shawn teaches the finer points of the faith.

Hello All!  We are excited to share news about Camp Araminta with all of the churches in the diocese!  If you have rising 4^th through 8^th graders and are looking for a place for them to grow in their faith, learn how to filter the world around them AND have lots of fun, then we have the place!  Join us August 2^nd - August 7^th at Camp Suwannee in Dowling Park, FL for an exciting week at Camp Araminta.  Camp is led by a committed group of ministry leaders from all over the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.  We currently have more than ten churches participating in Camp by sending campers and/or staff.  It is a true joint effort in ministry that takes place in a truly holy place, Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park.

"Araminta" is Hebrew in origin, and means "lofty."  Our tagline is "where faith takes flight."  At Camp Araminta, we offer a 5 year discipleship track so our young people have the chance to grow their faith each year they attend camp.  No two years are exactly the same.  We emphasize God's Creation, Fall & Redemption, Community/Body of Christ, Engaging the World/Discernment, and Mission Focus.  The first year camper's discipleship program introduces a biblical worldview, knowledge that is important for every young person to have as they enter the tween and teen years.  For those who attend camp for multiple years, the program progresses each year.  During a camper's 5 years they will gain a biblical world view, hear the Gospel, learn about the community of Christ, learn ways to live into holiness, and come to understand God's calling on our lives and living out the Great Commandment. 

Unity in the Mud Pit

Beyond the camper years, we have leadership opportunities for 9^thth graders and young adults.  9^th and 10^th graders can apply to serve on our "Flight Crew", a sort of mission trip experience where they have their own intense discipleship program and activities mixed with serving the camp as setup and cleanup help and assistants to various ministry leaders.  11^th and 12^th graders can apply to serve as Counselors-in-Training, learning to lead as they help out with the cabins and activities.  And lastly, any young adult over the age of 18 (or young-at-heart adult!) can apply to be a cabin counselor, leading the campers in all activities and having a special role as a mentor to these young people. -12

Growing God's shepherds, instilling in them a joy and excitement to share His word with others and become ministry workers and leaders...that is Camp Araminta.  Oh, and of course no camp is complete without...swimming in a pool and in the Suwannee River, archery, slip-n-slide baseball, messy day, canoeing, great food, and lots of friends!  Mark your calendars for August 2-7, 2010 and visit our website at www.camparaminta.org for more information and to register! 

Blessings from the Camp Araminta Leadership Team,

Fr. Jim Hobby, Fr. Alex Farmer, Fr. Sean Porter, Page Curry, Beth Kirby, Gram Alsobrook, Jason Goble, Angela Hobby, and Karen Allen.

 

Click Photo to Link to Site

In 2002, unknowing of the Africa miracle, Bob Bakke proposed to the newly created International Prayer Council and its 300 international leaders meeting in Cape Town, that a Global Day of Prayer be launched on Pentecost Sunday, 2005, so as to cover the earth in fulfillment of Habakkuk 2:14. Bob had been broadcasting concerts of prayer across North and South America for nearly 10 years and had seen the growth of international interest. The proposal was unanimously adopted and embraced by the Africans, especially.

Meanwhile, the Africa phenomena blossomed. A year later 2.5 million gathered throughout Africa in 130 stadiums. On May 2, 2004, the movement exploded to nearly ten times the size. More than 22 million rallied in prayer at more than 2,000 sites throughout every single country on the continent of Africa (56 nations). Leaders from most major traditions of Christian faith called their people to join in this historic act of united prayer. Now African leaders are inviting Christians around the world to pray with them. 2005 was the first ever Global Day of Prayer. Estimates suggest that up to 200 million people participated in the first year. The goal is 500 million and the Lord is honoring the vision more quickly than imagined.

Last year for the first time, all the nations of the world were represented. Tens of thousands of venues and 204 US towns and cities. International broadcasts accessible in over 200 nations, and hundreds of millions involved gathered together on Pentecost Sunday. In 2010, we will gather again in His name for Prayer & Worship!

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10 DAYS + 1 DAY + 90 DAYS

PRAYER		GATHERING
10 Days of Repentance & Prayer		Global Day of Prayer
May 13 - May 22, 2010 How To Participate		May 23, 2010 Metropolitan Park 2pm - 4:30pm
Beginning May 13th, millions of Christians will find ways to begin praying night and day throughout the ten days leading to Pentecost, following the pattern of Christ's followers before the first Pentecost. PRAYER CLOCK 24hr Lighthouse Churches		On Pentecost Sunday, Christians in almost every country will assemble to pray, many in homes and other public venues, many more in stadiums and open squares. Television, radio and Internet will help to connect and align our prayers even more. DIRECTIONS

	BLESSING
	90 Days of Blessing
	May 24 - August 21, 2010
	As in the first Pentecost, transformed Christians transform their communities, offering themselves to God as the instruments through which their prayers are answered. The Global Day of Prayer anticipates the forming or furthering of local alliances among pastors, congregations, mission agencies, business leaders to bring practical, transformational blessing to their communities.